F.A.Q.

Do I need an appointment to come down to your place?

No appointment is necessary; Universal Granite is open to the public Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 5:30pm.

Where do you operate?

Universal Granite operates within the Greater Vancouver area and at the Fraser Valley.

What is your payment policy?

Universal Granite accepts cash, checks, Credit Cards and Interact Payments. If payment is done by personal check we will not start the fabrication process until the check is cleared. Once the order is placed the grand total is broken up into two equal payments, one upon signing the Contract, and the other due upon the installation.

Do you accept credit cards?

Yes, we do. It is Visa or MasterCard.

How much deposit do you require before you start to cut our countertop?

Universal Granite requires a deposit of half of the estimated price. This payment takes place at the time of the measurement. If there is no deposit during the measurement we can not start the fabrication of the countertop or any other project. The deposit then needs to be brought to us, to our office in Richmond, BC.

If I fax my drawing with dimensions to you how long do I have to wait for a quote?

Proposals for free quotes that are faxed over are given a 24 hour time frame. We will either call or fax over the estimate assuming that the contact information is provided to us in the original fax.

Is installation included in the quote?

Yes, the price of the installation, fabrication, delivery, measurements, sealing or waxing of the countertop included in the quote.

How close does the estimate come to the final price?

The quote on the estimate is based on the measurements provided to us by you. So the more accurate your drawings and choice of the stone are, the more accurate the price.

What do I need to consider when buying a granite countertop?

Granite is a natural stone. It is very hard and durable, heat and scratch resistant as well as easy to maintain; it is the material of the future. Aside from the practical aspect, granite is very versatile in the design field. It comes in various colors; designs and structural compositions, there are more than 100 colors to choose from. All stones are not exactly the same; each lot will have unique characteristics attributed to the specific granite.

What do I need to consider when buying marble or granite?

Because it is a natural stone, marble -and more recently granite- has been blessed with a remarkable natural beauty that has captivated humans throughout the ages. Inherent in such natural products is a certain lack of predictability that sophisticated architects and designers celebrate. Consumers who are less acquainted with the material expect the marble ordered to be identical to the picture or sample they were shown. Although sample stones are intended to be representative of the quarry's product, the material quarried at one time may differ slightly in color and veining from the sample. Moreover, even a single marble or granite slab will possess a certain amount of color variation from one end to the other. Interior designers and architects have come to view this tendency of natural stone as an advantage. Slight irregularities can be pleasing, introducing an element of the natural into human-designed spaces, whether residential or commercial.

What's the difference between marble and granite?

Although both are stones and both are quarried from the earth, granite and marble (and marble's relatives - limestone, onyx and travertine) are very different from each other. Granite is formed deep in the earth's mantle at extremely high temperatures, and is a very hard, resistant stone made of crystallized minerals. The marble family - Limestone, travertine, marble, and onyx starts out as sediment of animal skeletons and shells, plant matter, silt millions of years this solidifies into stone. Because its main component is calcium, it can be affected by acids such as vinegar and citrus beverages.

Should I use marble or granite for my kitchen countertops?

Although typical application of marble is for the bathroom vanity tops, Jacuzzi tops and fireplaces, it is possible to use it in the kitchen. However, due to the fact that it is easy to scratch and is affected by acidic substances, such as vinegars, ketchups etc, we don't usually recommend it. Moreover the high-gloss of the marble countertop can be partially lost as many chemicals etch its surface. Granite in turn is considered the second hardest stone, its polish is not subject to etching by household acids, or scratching by knives and pots and pans under normal use. It is also not affected by typical kitchen heat such as hot pans.

Is it necessary to seal stone?

Since mineral surfaces are quite porous they absorb liquids, which may result in discolouring and staining. Although there are many commercial grade products available on the market which may bring the stone to its to its original luster, taking simple precautions and regular maintenance can save a lot of trouble and cost. The impregnating substance penetrates the stone clogging most of its pores making its quite impervious to alcohol, juices, soft drinks, cosmetics, cleaners, coffee, food and even oil. With course of time, depending on how heavily the tops are used, the sealer gets washed out. You should seal your marble every six months and your granite every year, at least.

What is the best way to clean marble and other stones?

The old rule of thumb is never to use anything you wouldn't use on your hands. Never use powdered cleansers or abrasive pads to clean your stone. Even "soft scrub" type cleaners contain pumice, which is powdered volcanic stone, and might damage your stone countertops or floors. Never use any product which is acidic; this includes substances like ammonia or many common liquid cleaners such as Windex. You should always use sealers and cleaning products designed specifically for natural stone.

Can I cut on my Granite countertop?

Yes, only if you want to ruin your good knives. Granite is harder than your knife blades and will dull them very quickly, if you use the countertop as a cutting surface. Always cut and chop on a wooden or plastic cutting board.

Can my granite top be damaged?

Like any solid surface, high impact blows can harm granite. Because of its crystalline structure, it can chip if subjected to sharp hard objects. Unsealed, granite can absorb stains such as oil, which can ultimately cause dark spots or discoloration. Heat from pots and pans or burning liquids will not affect granite under normal circumstances.

My little sample of granite has pits on the surface - will I have these on my kitchen counters?

Granite, which is crystalline in its structure, always has tiny pits spaces between the various mineral crystals. You don't see them on a larger piece because the overall appearance is polished and mirror-like. Granite sometimes has natural fissures as well, which may look like cracks, but are not structural defects and are a naturally occurring result of the immense heat and pressure which formed the granite eons ago. These characteristics are part of the natural beauty of stone and will not impair the function or durability of the material. A product of nature cannot be expected to look manmade.

Will my granite look like the online sample?

The samples you see on the computer have been scanned and saved as digital images. The color tones may not be absolutely correct due to variations in computer systems, monitors and compression algorithms. Also, granite is a natural material with naturally occurring variations in color, tone, granularity, pattern, etc. These variations are expected and are the source of its natural beauty.

Can I set hot pot on my granite countertop?

Granite is formed by extreme heat and pressure combined beneath the earths crust. It can not be affected by heat from a cook top or frying pan. A lit flame placed under the granite will have no melting effect and will not leave any burned or scarred marks.

Can granite chip?

Only in cases of sever abuse with a hammer or impact tool. A chip can be filled with a granite dust and epoxy mixture. If a chip occurs on your countertop, do not throw out the chipped pieces. We can use them to fix the countertop, so that no one will be able to tell it was ever chipped.

How are seams made?

Seams are done where the two pieces of stone are put together. The seams are joined with epoxy that is mixed with the color that matches the stone. Then the joined area is smoothened, leaving only a very thin line visible.

Can granite crack?

No. Not with regular use. Granite is most susceptible to cracks during shipping and installation. Normal use will not overstress this durable material.

How is Granite formed?

Granite is an igneous rock of visible crystalline formation and texture. It is composed primarily of feldspar, quartz, and mica. It starts off as liquid magma deep within the earth's core where it is cooled and compressed over millions of years under tons of pressure. It is then quarried, cut and polished. After that process it can be applied in various ways like kitchen countertops, vanity tops, fireplace surrounds as well as Jacuzzi surrounds and other custom designs.

Do granite seams show?

Because granite is a natural material and is mined from the quarry in blocks usually no more than 10' long, you will most likely end up with seams. Also, because granite is sold in rectangular pieces, you may want to use seams to reduce your costs, such as in an "L" shaped corner. The visibility of seams will depend on the granularity, color and pattern. A small, uniform grain will not be as apparent as a larger varied grain. A dark color will be less apparent than a light color. A dramatic pattern with swaths of color will show more seams than a uniform pattern. Most customers have found that the beauty of natural granite outweighs the concern of seams.

How do I clean my granite countertop?

Granite is a very durable stone. It is also much harder than marble. Granite has been used in the past in the commercial industry. Some of the obvious applications have been panels on the outside of buildings, walls, and floors of "high-traffic" areas. Granite will withstand almost any element it comes up against including heat and cold. Granite itself is approximately 95-98% stain resistant but, we use a special impregnator on all of our natural stone products. This will insure lasting life and beauty. Polished granite should receive the same cleaning care as polished marble, preferably using specially formulated daily granite cleaner or using a mild phosphate-free, biodegradable liquid dish-soap, soap flakes or powder which contains no aromatics followed by a thorough rinsing and drying with cotton-flannel or chamois. If you are going to go with just plain soap and water, keep in mind that this can lead to soap build up. This, in turn, will dull your countertop's finish significantly and you don't want that. Also, plain soap and water will not bring your countertop to a beautiful shine like daily granite cleaner will. When using granite cleaner, let it sit for about 30 seconds and then wipe it off well using a soft cloth. This will work best.

Does granite stain?

In general, do not. All stone, however, is porous to some extent, but Granite has very little porosity. Most colors will never show any moisture. A few colors may show some moisture if exposed for a period of time. For example, a puddle of water left on the counter for 30 minutes for some colors, may show a dark spot when the water is wiped away. This spot will then dry up and no evidence will show. Only a few colors demonstrate this trait.

Is marble suitable for a kitchen countertop?

No, marble is not a good choice for a kitchen countertop. Although it can be sealed, it is not as dense as granite and therefore it is more porous and susceptible to being stained in a highly used area like a kitchen. It is much softer and it will chip and crack under frequent use.

Can I seal marble?

Just like granite, marble is sealed after the fabrication process; unfortunately due to its porous nature sealing marble is insufficient for everyday kitchen use.

Where can I use marble?

Marble can be used for a number of various applications like fireplace surrounds, tabletops, saddles, and shelves. Ideally it can be applied to a number of projects in the bath area like Jacuzzi surrounds, vanities, floor, and shower paneling. Generally you can safely use marble in low traffic areas.

Is marble really appropriate to use in living areas?

Yes. Since ancient times, marble has been used in all areas of the Grecian home; from furnishings to floors. These Greek marbles have proven as durable as materials traditionally considered to be sturdier with the added benefit of creating a warm welcoming atmosphere.